He's At It Again

Yep, God's at it again. He's talking to me, and once more He has used Ruth Myers to do it. While the kiddos are napping, I figured I could read today's entry.

It is so relevant to today, my birthday, that I just had to share (even though I have already posted one blog today).

Here's what Myers writes on day 11 of her book 31 Days of Praise:

Thank You, my gracious and sovereign God, that You have been with me and carried me from the

day of my birth until today...

that You have known my whole life, from beginning to end, since before I was born...and that You wrote in Your book all the days that You ordained for me before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139)

I told you it was fitting for my birthday. Yet, the connection doesn't stop there. She goes on:

Thank You that in Your gracious plan to bless and use me, You've allowed me to go through hard times, through trials that many people go through in this fallen world. How glad I am that You're so good at reaching down and making something beautiful out of even the worst situations! How encouraged I am when I think how You did this for Joseph...how his brothers hated and abused and betrayed him, and how You worked these things out for blessing, both for Joseph and his family and for countless other people.

I praise You that the things that happened in my past, both enjoyable and painful, are raw materials for blessings, both in my life and in the lives of others...And thank You for the things in my past that appear to be limitations, hindrances, bad breaks...How comforting to know that in all my distresses You were distressed. And how I thank You, Lord Jesus, that on the cross You bore my griefs and carried my sorrows, as well as my sins..that I can kneel at the cross and worship You as the One who took on Yourself all my pain and experienced it to the full. And how comforting to know that in the present, day by day, You feel with me any pain, confusion, inner bondage, or struggles that stem from my past.

Thank You that all these seeming disadvantages are a backdrop for the special, unfolding plan You have in mind for me...

I 'm so grateful that all my past circumstances were permitted by You to make me see my need of You and prepare my heart for Your Word...to draw me to Yourself, and to work out Your good purposes for my life. I rejoice that You are the Blessed Controller of all things -- You are now, You will be throughout the future, and You always were. All my days had Your touch of love and wisdom, whether or not I can as yet fully see it.

And Lord, I choose to look beyond my past and present troubles in this life -- this temporary life -- and fix my eyes on the unseen things that will last forever. I praise You for the eternal glory these things are piling up for me as I choose to trust You.

Well, thanks for listening to me for a second time today. Since it's my birthday I figure I can get away with posting multiple blogs! :)